System and method of measuring physical activity to progress in game

• US 8,747,199 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2011
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Humana Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Humana Incorporated
• Inventors: Sawyer, Benjamin Gibson, Palmisano, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ROSS A
• Application Number:
  US13/043,110
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 463 1- 6, 463 40- 42, 463/7
• US Class Current: 463/7
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score

Abstract

A computerized system and method for measuring physical activity to advance play in a game. In example embodiments, a cell phone generates a screen display and the game is played through the mobile device. The measurement of physical activity progresses the player through the game by progressing the player through “game days,” by permitting the player to travel from a current location to another location on a map of the game, by earning rewards points for the player that may be utilized in game play, etc. A specified number of steps equates with a game day and a complete game is measured in game days. The device tracks physical activity, related game days, and completion of games. During a game day, a player advances in the game as well as encounters challenges and obstacles and may be prompted to make other decisions related to the game play.

Claims

1. A computerized method for playing a game comprising a computerized device executing programming instructions for:

(a) receiving at said computerized device player identifying data for a player of said game;

(b) storing at said computerized device a time unit value for measuring completion of said game;

(c) storing at said computerized device an activity level threshold;

(d) initializing by said computerized device a point total;

(e) initializing by said computerized device a time unit counter;

(f) receiving at said computerized device an activity level value for said player related to a physical activity performed by said player;

(g) adding by said computerized device to said point total a point value corresponding to said activity level;

(h) comparing by said computerized device said point total to said activity level threshold;

(i) if said point total is equal to or exceeds said activity level threshold;

(1) incrementing by said computerized device said time unit counter;

(2) modifying by said computerized device at least one element of play in said game;

(j) in response to a command received from said player;

(1) advancing by said computerized device play in said game; and

(2) decreasing by said computerized device said point total by a point value corresponding to said command; and

(k) repeating steps (f)-(j) until said computerized device determines said time unit counter is equal to said time unit value for measuring completion of said game.

2. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein said time unit is a game day.

3. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein said activity level value is steps taken by said player.

4. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein said command is a request to move an avatar for said player between locations in said game.

5. The computerized method of claim 1 wherein said activity level value is further used to award bonus points to said player.

6. The computerized method of claim 2 wherein completion of a game day triggers a modification to a number of points associated with a game play command.

7. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising presenting by said computerized device during game play a plurality of player challenges for a specified number of time units.

8. A computerized system for playing a game comprising:

(1) a physical activity device for measuring physical activity of a player; and

(2) a game play device for receiving physical activity data for said player and presenting to said player game displays, said game play device programmed with instructions to;

(a) store at said computerized device a time unit value for measuring completion of said game;

(b) store at said computerized device an activity level threshold;

(c) initialize a point total;

(d) initialize a time unit counter;

(e) receive at said game play device from said physical activity device an activity level value for said player related to a physical activity performed by said player;

(f) add to said point total a point value corresponding to said activity level;

(g) compare said point total to said activity level threshold;

(h) if said point total is equal to or exceeds said activity level threshold;

(1) increment said time unit counter; and

(2) modify at least one element of play in said game;

(i) in response to a command received from said player;

(1) advance play in said game; and

(2) decrease said point total by a point value corresponding to said command; and

(j) repeat steps (e)-(i) until said time unit counter is equal to said time unit value for measuring completion of said game.

9. The computerized system of claim 8 wherein said time unit is a game day.

10. The computerized system of claim 8 wherein said activity level value is steps taken by said player.

11. The computerized system of claim 8 wherein said command is a request to move an avatar for said player between locations in said game.

12. The computerized system of claim 8 wherein said activity level value is further used to award bonus points to said player.

13. The computerized system of claim 9 wherein completion of a game day triggers a modification to a number of points associated with a game play command.

14. The computerized system of claim 8 wherein said game play device further comprises instructions to present player challenges for a specified number of time units.

15. A computerized method for playing a game comprising a computerized device executing programming instructions for:

(a) receiving at said computerized device player identifying data for a player of said game;

(b) storing at said computerized device a time unit value for measuring completion of said game;

(c) storing at said computerized device an activity level threshold;

(d) initializing by said computerized device a point total;

(e) initializing by said computerized device a time unit counter;

(f) receiving at said computerized device an activity level value for said player related to a physical activity performed by said player;

(g) adding by said computerized device to said point total a point value corresponding to said activity level;

(h) comparing by said computerized device said point total to said activity level threshold;

(i) if said activity value is below said activity level threshold, advancing by said computerized device game play within a time unit in response to receiving a command from said player;

(j) if said activity level value is equal to or exceeds said activity level threshold;

(i) modifying by said computerized device at least one element of play in said game;

(ii) advancing by said computerized device game play according to said modified element of play in response to receiving a command from said player;

and

(iii) incrementing by said computerized device said time unit counter; and

(k) repeating steps (f)-(k) until said computerized device determines said time unit counter is equal to said time unit value for measuring completion of said game.

16. The computerized method of claim 15 wherein said time unit is a game day.

17. The computerized method of claim 15 wherein said activity level value is steps taken by said player.

18. The computerized method of claim 15 wherein said command is a request to move an avatar for said player between locations in said game.

19. The computerized method of claim 15 wherein said activity level value is further used to award bonus points to said player.

20. The computerized method of claim 15 further comprising initiating by said computerized device a new game for said player when said time unit counter is equal to said time unit value.